Competition coffee: high scores, auctions, and why some coffees cost a fortune

Competition coffee is usually a lot entered into a contest or a specialized auction. The coffee is evaluated by tasting, sometimes over several rounds, by national and international judges. The best lots can then go to auction, where roasters, cafes, or specialized buyers bid for small quantities.

Important: competition doesn’t turn coffee into something good. Competition only brings to the surface lots that were already produced very well.

The price of a competition coffee can rise for several reasons:

• the lot is very small;
• the score is very high;
• the variety is rare or highly sought-after;
• the farm has a strong reputation;
• the sensory profile is hard to find;
• buyers bid for prestige, rarity, and exclusive access;
• the coffee can be used in barista competitions, events, or special menus.

At this level, the price doesn’t just reflect the agricultural cost. It also reflects rarity, reputation, storytelling, the producer’s risk, sorting costs, and competition among buyers.

Panama Gesha is the best-known example of a coffee that changed perceptions of price and quality. The variety has Ethiopian genetic origins, but became famous in Panama, where Gesha lots earned very high scores and set price records at Best of Panama.

In 2025, a Washed Geisha lot from Hacienda La Esmeralda was reported at Best of Panama with a score of 98/100 points and a price of $30,204 per kilogram of green coffee. This is an extreme example, not a normal benchmark for everyday coffee buying.

Read about Gesha

Gesha is the most famous, but it’s not the only variety associated with competition lots or high prices.

You may come across:

• Gesha / Geisha, especially in Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and other countries;
• Pink Bourbon, especially in floral, citrusy Colombian lots;
• Sidra Bourbon or Sidra, in rare, expressive lots from Latin America;
• Pacamara, important in some Central American origins;
• SL28 and SL34, often associated with Kenya and with intense, acidic, complex profiles;
• Laurina, sometimes valued for its rarity and delicate profile.

Still, variety alone isn’t enough. A poorly grown or poorly processed Gesha won’t become extraordinary just because it’s called Gesha. Likewise, a less famous variety can be excellent if the lot is very well handled.

Read about Pink Bourbon

Read about Sidra Bourbon

In specialty coffee, the score is an attempt to evaluate the coffee’s sensory quality. A high score can indicate a coffee that’s very clean, complex, sweet, balanced, and memorable.

But the score doesn’t say everything. For a customer, the question isn’t just “what score did it get?” but:

• do I like the profile?
• is it floral, fruity, delicate, or intense?
• do I want a rare coffee or an everyday coffee?
• will I brew it correctly at home?
• is it worth the price for the experience I’m looking for?

A 90+ point coffee can be spectacular, but it isn’t necessarily the best fit for every day.

Competition coffee is like a rare wine or a tasting menu: it’s worth it when you want to explore the limits of flavor, not when you just want a consistent cup every morning.

For your daily routine, a well-chosen Core or Discovery coffee can be a better fit than a very expensive lot. For a rare experience, a Reserve or a lot with a special variety can make more sense.

At OVRIDE, we don’t treat price as automatic proof of quality. We look for coffees that make sense in the cup: some comforting, some expressive, some rare, some experimental. What matters is that the choice is clear for you.

Choose coffee by profile

Read about Gesha

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